HI HB1891

Establishes one full-time equivalent permanent veterinary medical officer position within the Hawaii Department of Health to address zoonotic diseases and protect public health.

Requires the veterinary medical officer to hold a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary college and a license to practice veterinary medicine in Hawaii.

Appropriates $95,000 for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the veterinary medical officer position salary and $15,000 for operational costs.

Authorizes the veterinary medical officer to oversee detection, investigation, assessment, prevention, control, and eradication of zoonotic diseases including leptospirosis, rat lungworm disease, salmonella, MRSA, and other animal-to-human transmissible diseases.

Takes effect July 1, 2020.